2025 Buick Enclave vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2024 Kia Sorento received its first major visual update since its 2021 debut. It adopted design cues from the popular Telluride and EV9, resulting in a more cohesive look with its Kia siblings. The Sorento featured a robust new front end, enhanced taillights, and a modern, upscale cockpit. Its exterior boasted a bold grille, vertically stacked LED headlights, and wing-like daytime running lights, giving it a larger and more intimidating presence. The rear updates were subtle, with new bumpers and LED taillights on higher trims. The Sorento's trims included the LX, EX, X-Line, X-Line Limited, and the new X-Pro, each offering distinct visual elements and features.

Inside, the Sorento showcased a redesigned dashboard with a clean, horizontal layout. The gauge cluster and infotainment displays were unified under a single pane of glass, with higher trims featuring twin 12.3-inch displays. The cabin materials were upgraded, offering a more luxurious feel, with faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching on leather-wrapped elements. A brown interior option added character, and overall, the Sorento felt solidly assembled and more upscale than some competitors.

The 2025 Buick Enclave resembled a larger version of the Envista, with a sharp design featuring slim DRLs, a large angular grille, and a high beltline. While its side profile was somewhat generic, the Enclave appeared bolder and more refined than its predecessor. It had fewer side creases, a flatter roof, and slightly sharpened wheel arches. Standard 20-inch wheels adorned the base Preferred trim, while the Sport Touring featured unique High Gloss Black accents. The top-tier Avenir trim boasted 22-inch wheels with a special finish.

Inside, the Enclave offered a modern and premium feel with a floating centre console and a large curved display, reminiscent of EV designs. The Sport Touring trim featured perforated leatherette seats with contrast piping, enhancing the interior's upscale vibe. A panoramic power sunroof was optional on lower trims but standard on the Avenir, adding to the Enclave's luxurious appeal.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained most of its mechanical components, with the base engine being a 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission but struggled with the Sorento's weight. Higher trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic. Turbocharged models offered lively performance, with zero-to-100 times in the mid-seven-second range. All Sorentos in Canada came with AWD, and ground clearance varied by trim.

The Sorento handled confidently, with well-weighted steering and effective brakes. The X-Line and X-Pro trims offered enhanced off-road capabilities, with the X-Pro featuring 17-inch rims and all-terrain tires for improved grip. The X-Pro also had a higher towing capacity of 2,040 kilograms. Fuel economy for gas-powered versions was average, with the non-turbo engine rated at 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres combined, and the turbo at 10.3 L/100 km.

The 2025 Buick Enclave was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. It had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. Fuel consumption was rated at 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.9 on the highway, and 11.2 combined. The Enclave featured Active Noise Cancellation to reduce road and engine noise, though the engine was notably loud.

The Enclave drove like a full-size vehicle, with noticeable bulk and loose steering at slower speeds. While not a sports car, it offered a comfortable ride, appealing to those prioritizing space and comfort over driving dynamics.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was modern and comfortable in the first two rows, though the third row was tight. It offered advantages over smaller SUVs with third-row seating, providing 1,052 millimetres of front legroom and 1,060 mm in the second row. The third row had 752 mm of legroom, suitable for occasional use by children. Cargo space was limited with the third row in use, offering 357 litres, but expanded to 1,090 to 1,274 litres with it folded. With all seats down, it provided up to 2,139 litres of cargo space.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger. Captain's chairs in the second row allowed for a seven-person capacity. The Avenir trim offered heated and ventilated front seats, with heated second-row seats. Tri-zone climate control was standard, and the Enclave had a power liftgate with AutoSense technology. Cargo space was 648 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 1,617 litres with the third row folded, and 2,761 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured a single-pane, twin-screen setup with a 12.3-inch screen for all models. The infotainment system, called "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC), was redesigned for ease of use. Navigation was standard from the X-Line trim up, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included. The system supported over-the-air updates and had USB-C outlets in all rows. Higher trims offered a Bose 12-speaker surround sound system and Digital Key 2.0 for keyless access.

The 2025 Buick Enclave boasted a 30-inch ultrawide touchscreen integrating the infotainment display and digital gauge cluster. A 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker system on the Avenir. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-In and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Enclave offered wired charging with USB ports in each row.

The 2024 Kia Sorento included a comprehensive suite of active safety features, with adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more as standard. Optional features included navigation-based adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Sorento had not been fully evaluated by IIHS or NHTSA for 2024, but previous models received good ratings.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and more as standard. HD Surround Vision and adaptive cruise control were included, with Super Cruise available as an option. The Enclave had not been rated by IIHS or NHTSA for 2025, but the 2024 model received good ratings in most tests.